Key Facts: Maersk Adds Air Fuel Surcharges and War Levies as Ship Source Blessing Struck Near Jebel Ali

The West Asia war has entered a dangerous new phase for global container shipping. A. P. Møller–Maersk — the world's second-largest container line — has simultaneously confirmed a global Emergency Bunker Surcharge (EBS), introduced emergency war risk freight levies of $1,800–$3,000 per TEU on Gulf cargo, suspended bookings to and from the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, and Oman, and is now managing the aftermath of a projectile strike on a Maersk-operated vessel near Jebel Ali — one of the world's busiest container ports. Here are all the key facts every shipper, importer, exporter, and logistics manager needs to understand immediately.

The Ship Strike: Source Blessing Hit 35nm North of Jebel Ali

The box ship was struck "by an unknown projectile" around 35 miles north of Jebel Ali. All crew are safe, according to UKMTO reports from the master. Maritime security firm Vanguard reported that the vessel involved was the Source Blessing, struck at 2:20am local time. The registered owner of the 3,240 TEU Source Blessing is Well Wonder 1 Ltd in Fujian. The container ship is chartered to Hapag-Lloyd, which has sublet the vessel to its alliance partner Maersk. The Source Blessing is deployed on Maersk's M04 shuttle service in the Gulf.

A small fire was reported on board, but a damage assessment was unable to be completed in the dark. The vessel was at anchor in the north-western part of the Gulf but was heading for the Omani port of Sohar before the war began. The strike is significant not just as an individual incident — it is the first confirmed attack on a vessel directly associated with a top-tier global liner in the Persian Gulf since the war began, and marks a geographic escalation of the conflict's maritime dimension from the Strait of Hormuz into waters adjacent to Jebel Ali itself. For real-time vessel tracking and maritime incident reporting, UKMTO (UK Maritime Trade Operations) — the primary maritime security coordination body for the region — is publishing live alerts for all commercial shipping incidents.

Maersk Emergency Bunker Surcharge (EBS): The Complete Rate Card

The ongoing conflict has had a considerable impact on the international fuel market. As a result, many refineries within the region are either offline or operating at reduced capacity and export ability is very limited. This circumstance has led to substantial disruptions in global fuel supply chains. To preserve network stability, Maersk has undertaken significant redistribution of fuels to offset shortages in the Middle East, and is securing alternative sources from different locations and suppliers.

Maersk said it will implement the temporary Emergency Bunker Surcharge starting March 25, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. The surcharge will apply globally and is intended to address fuel availability issues and price volatility that fall outside the scope of the company's existing Fossil Fuel Fee. The surcharge will range from $200 per 20-foot container and $400 per 40-foot container on long-haul headhaul trades, with lower rates applied to backhaul and intra-regional shipments. Refrigerated cargo will face higher charges, with fees reaching $600 per 40-foot reefer container. Maersk said the surcharge will be reviewed every 14 days and could be adjusted upward or downward depending on fuel availability and market conditions.

The EBS will be monitored every 14 days and adjusted — upwards or downwards — based on fuel availability, cost and mix. Updated levels will be published on maersk.com. The 14-day review cycle is a deliberate design choice — it prevents the surcharge from becoming permanently embedded while ensuring Maersk retains pricing flexibility if the conflict extends and fuel redistribution costs escalate further.

War Risk Freight Levies: $1,800–$3,000 per TEU for Gulf Markets

Maersk has introduced emergency freight charges for cargo moving to and from several Gulf markets, including $1,800 per TEU and $3,000 per 40ft container, reflecting the need for alternative routing, storage, and additional operational measures. These war risk freight increases are applied on top of the EBS — meaning a shipper moving a standard 40-foot dry container to Dubai on a long-haul headhaul trade now faces:

  • Emergency Bunker Surcharge: $400 per 40ft container (headhaul)
  • War Risk Emergency Freight Increase: $3,000 per 40ft container (Gulf destinations)
  • War Risk Insurance Premium Repricing: Additional shipper cost depending on cargo value and insurer
  • Air Cargo Fuel Surcharge (FSC) + War Risk: Applied by airlines on Gulf-routed air freight (rates vary by carrier)

Maersk will levy an emergency contingency surcharge on its Middle East Gulf and Indian subcontinent to North Europe and Mediterranean services, effective March 15. These surcharges come as the world's largest container lines have suspended services to the Middle East Gulf region amid Iran's de facto blockade of the critical waterway.

Gulf Booking Suspension: What Maersk Has Stopped Accepting

Maersk has suspended most bookings to and from several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, while it works to manage cargo already in transit. Until further notice, for import shipments into UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jubail), Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Oman (Duqm), empty containers will not be accepted for return at their usual locations. If cross-border return to a designated location is unlawful or materially prevented by authorities, shippers must contact their Maersk representative within 7 days.

As of March 11, 2026, Maersk reportedly has about 10 container ships trapped in the Persian Gulf, essentially sheltering in place in Gulf ports or anchorages while awaiting conditions to improve.

The Wider Context: Both Middle East Corridors Simultaneously Blocked

For the first time in modern history, both of the Middle East's major maritime corridors are simultaneously blocked. The Red Sea route to Europe, already operating at 49% of pre-crisis capacity, is blocked again. The Strait of Hormuz, carrying 20% of the world's daily oil supply and 20% of global LNG, is now effectively closed.

Following confirmed attacks on commercial vessels and escalating military activity between February 28 and March 4, 2026, shipowners and insurers broadly withdrew coverage for transits through the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a near-total suspension of tanker and container traffic through the waterway. Vessel-tracking data shows hundreds of ships holding position in the Gulf of Oman and adjacent waters, with minimal commercial transits occurring under elevated risk conditions. Major container carriers — including Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and CMA CGM — have suspended Hormuz crossings, imposed booking stops, or declared end-of-voyage actions for Gulf-destined cargo, citing crew safety and insurance constraints.

According to Lloyd's List Intelligence data, approximately 60 containerships are currently waiting on either side of the Musandam Peninsula at the southern entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, ranging in size from a few hundred TEU to 19,000 TEU. No vessels have been tracked actively transiting the strait, although the possibility of ships passing with AIS transponders switched off cannot be ruled out.

Air Cargo: The Alternative Route Under Its Own Pressure

Air cargo operations in the Middle East remain impacted by ongoing airspace restrictions and security measures. Some airlines may have begun gradually resuming limited services, but continue to adjust schedules and reroute flights to avoid affected airspace. These changes are contributing to cargo backlogs and longer transit times across multiple trade lanes. Airlines are increasing Fuel Surcharges (FSC) and applying War Risk Surcharges in response to rising operating costs and the evolving security situation.

Widespread airspace closures and restrictions across Iran, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and portions of the UAE continue to eliminate most Middle East air-cargo capacity. Remaining flights are operating on extended routings, contributing to capacity displacement, rate volatility, and reduced schedule reliability on Europe–Asia and Asia–Africa lanes. For shippers hoping to shift time-sensitive Gulf-bound cargo from ocean to air, the air freight market offers limited relief — capacity is constrained, surcharges are spiking, and routing reliability has significantly deteriorated.

Key Facts at a Glance

  • Ship Struck: MV Source Blessing (3,240 TEU, Hapag-Lloyd chartered / Maersk sublease)
  • Strike Location: ~35 nautical miles north of Jebel Ali, UAE
  • Strike Time: 2:20 AM local time, March 11, 2026
  • Crew Status: All safe (UKMTO confirmed)
  • Fire: Small fire reported; damage assessment delayed until daylight
  • Maersk EBS Effective Date: March 25, 2026
  • EBS Rate — 20ft Container (Headhaul): $200
  • EBS Rate — 40ft Container (Headhaul): $400
  • EBS Rate — 40ft Reefer (Headhaul): $600
  • EBS Review Cycle: Every 14 days
  • War Risk Freight Increase — Gulf (TEU): $1,800 per TEU
  • War Risk Freight Increase — Gulf (40ft): $3,000 per 40ft
  • Emergency Contingency Surcharge (ME Gulf / Indian sub to North Europe/Med): Effective March 15
  • Gulf Booking Suspension: UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia (Dammam/Jubail), Oman (Duqm)
  • Maersk Ships Trapped in Persian Gulf: ~10 vessels (as of March 11)
  • Containerships Waiting at Hormuz: ~60 (ranging 100 TEU to 19,000 TEU)
  • Active Hormuz Commercial Transits: Near-zero (AIS tracked)
  • Jebel Ali Status: Intermittent disruptions, growing congestion
  • Carriers That Have Suspended Hormuz Transits: Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM
  • China United Lines: Still accepting Red Sea bookings at $2,000–$3,000/TEU war surcharge
  • Both Middle East Corridors Blocked: First time in modern shipping history
  • Red Sea Capacity (Current): 49% of pre-crisis levels
  • Cape of Good Hope Routing: Primary alternative; 10–14 day transit time increase

What Shippers Must Do Now

Build safety stock for any product with a Gulf-dependent supply chain. If your manufacturing inputs, finished goods, or consumables move through Jebel Ali or any Gulf port, your replenishment cycle has just extended by two to four weeks minimum. Increase safety stock levels now, before your current inventory runs low. Beyond safety stock, shippers with Gulf-origin or Gulf-destination cargo should immediately: contact their Maersk representative regarding stranded cargo; review war risk insurance coverage and confirm inclusion of Hormuz and Red Sea zones; identify Cape-route alternative vessel options; and assess air cargo feasibility for the most time-critical consignments despite elevated FSC and war risk surcharges.

Conclusion

The simultaneous confirmation of Maersk's global Emergency Bunker Surcharge, Gulf war risk freight levies of $1,800–$3,000 per TEU, and the projectile strike on the Source Blessing near Jebel Ali marks the moment the West Asia war's maritime impact became undeniably systemic. With both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea simultaneously blocked for the first time in modern history, approximately 60 containerships trapped at Hormuz, and the world's major carriers unanimously suspending Gulf transits, shippers face a supply chain disruption of a scale and complexity that the Cape of Good Hope routing alone cannot quickly resolve.

Maersk's 14-day EBS review cycle is the key indicator to watch — if the surcharge is adjusted upward in the first review on or around April 8, it will signal that the fuel distribution crisis is worsening rather than stabilising, and that a second wave of freight rate increases across all tradelanes is imminent. For authoritative live shipping disruption intelligence, follow Lloyd's List, gCaptain, and Maersk's official Stay Ahead advisory page for real-time operational updates.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only. Surcharge rates, booking suspensions, and operational policies are subject to change. Always verify current rates and advisories directly with your carrier or freight forwarder.